Calorie counter



March 14, 1939. R. c. HERZOG 2,150,442

GALORIE COUNTER Filed Aug. 4, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l A sqwroom DENOTES ACUPFUL WHEN PURPLE, AN ounca WHEN RED,

1 A NATURAL on STATED uNrr vmcn YEUM,

A TABLESPOON WHEN BLACK.

ADD up CALORIES! ".SFT MARK AT ZERO WHEN STARTING. |2.TURII mu mm mm; soIIEM A 2:. LINE up MwmTN AsAl RED ARROW. 4m um um JusT owns woml. ansrm234mm EACH FDOD ITEM l Toni AwwmLwAvs BEING sun:

MASK noes rm su uAcN mm NEWLY ADVANCED POSITION.

l4 (PURPLE) =CUPFULL March 14, 1939. j Q HERZOG 2,150,442

CALORIE COUNTER Filed Aug. 4, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 (cameras DEPICYEDARE FOR FOODS m EDIDLE mam BOYS AND GIRLS Patented Mar. 14, 1939 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

This invention relates to calculators or counters and particularly tosuch devices for totaliz-v ing the units of value contained in aplurality of substances.

The main objects of this invention are to provide an improved calculatorwhich permits the ready addition of predetermined units of value of aplurality of successively selected substances and selected quantitiesthereof; to provide an 10 improved calculator arranged for rapidselection among a plurality of substances and the ready addition of theunits of value in substantialiy any quantity of the selected substances;to provide an improved calculator construction in which 1 Selection ofsubstances may be readily made without disturbing the setting, of thecounter totalizing the units of value; to provide an improved calculatorof simplified construction and low cost of manufacture; to provide animproved calculator arranged to hold or lock the count indicator in anyposition at which it is set; and to provide an improved calculator whichpermits the ready addition of the number of calories contained incombinations of foods in any variety, or for the addition of othercommon designations by which the character of foods is described, suchas chemical combination and vitamin content, and to provide a calculatorin which only the fractional count indicator and the total count sum areexposed to view and which shields the remainder of the scales, thusavoiding confusio to the user.

Specific embodiments of this invention are shown in the accompanyingdrawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a face view of one form of the improved calculator.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view as taken on line 22 of Fig. 2,showing a self-locating arrangement for the count indicator.

Fig. 3 is a face view of a count indicator.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view as taken on line 44 of Fig. 1, showing amethod of assembling the device and for manipulating a count measuringmember.

Fig. 5 is a plan view showing the construction of the body of the deviceshown in Fig. l, and illustrating the arrangement of a totalizing scale.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary face view of a count measuring memberillustrating a manner of designating unit values for predeterminedquantities of a plurality of substances.

Fig. 7 is a face view of a modified form of the 55 arrangement forcorrelating the total of the units of value. obtained by use of thedevice, with predetermined standards.

As shown in the drawings, the improved calculator is of a type operatingon the slide rule principle, and the construction may be either a 5linear or circular type of device. As shown, the calculator is designedas a calorie counter and is particularly arranged to provide acomprensive representation of all of the more common foodstuffs eaten byman; signals or markings being 10 employed to definitely show the fullextent of each value and to also permit different types of value for anyone food item to be shown in relatively one position.

The improved calculator comprises essentially 15 a base member I onwhich an annular scale 2 is provided as a totalizing or accumulatingcounter of predetermined units of value. An annular count measuring.member 3 is concentrically mounted relative to the totalizing scale 2 onthe 20 base member I so as to be rotatable relative thereto, and anannular indicator 4 in the form of a mask is mounted above the countmeasuring member 3 concentric therewith and with the totalizing scale 2,the mask or indicator 4 be- 5 ing rotatable relative to the totalizingscale 2 and the count measuring member 3 on a common axis.

As shown, the count measuring member 3 is of a diameter such that itsouter margin sub- 30 stantially coincides with the inner periphery ofthe annular totalizing scale 2 and the indicator or mask 4 is of adiameter such as to overlap the count measuring member and thetotalizing scale. The indicator 4 is provided with an open- 35 mg orwindow 5 arranged to expose a portion of the count measuring member 3and a portion of the totalizing scale 2. Also, the mask or indicator isprovided with an alining stop-shoulder or indicating means 6 forco-relating the, count measuring member indices and the totalizingscale.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the counter is assembled on a speciallydesigned operating screw comprising upper and lower portions 1 and 8, 45respectively, each portion of the screw having an enlarged peripherallyknurled head and a shank of lesser diameter. 'I'he shank of each of theportions 1 and 8 are the same size and the two portions are arranged forscrew threaded engagement with each other in shank to shank relationshipby means of a stud H which projects from the shank of one of theportions and is received in a topped hole H in the shank of the otherportion. The stud 'I.| is of lesser diameter than the shank so that theends of the shanks will abut each other.

The base member I and the mask or indicator 4 are each provided with acentral aperture 9 and I0, respectively, of a size to loosely fit theshank portions of the operating screw; and the count measuring member isprovided with a central aperture of lesser diameter so as to ilt betweenand be clamped by the abutting ends of the shanks of the operatingscrew. Thus, when assembled as shown in Fig. 4, the count measuringmember 1 will be iixedly clamped by and rotatable with the operatingscrew, and the operating screw will be freely rotatable in the apertures9 and III of the base member I and the mask or indicating member 4.

If desired, the aperture 9 of the base member I and the aperture Ill ofthe mask or indicator 4 may be lined with a ring-like metal collar Ii toreduce the friction between these members and the operating screw.

As shown in Figs. 6 and 7 the count measuring member 3 is provided withconcentric annular radially spaced zones for a variety of food classesand the annular zones are divided angularly into segments whichrepresent specific items or units in the respective food classes. Theangular length of each segment is proportioned to represent one or morecommonly used units of weight, measurement or quantity of the respectivefood item in accordance with the angular distance required on thetotalizing scale 2 to measure the total units of calorie value containedin the designated quantity of that item.

Also, each food item segment is divided angularly by indices, hereinshown as saw-teeth, which respectively represent chosen units ofquantity or measurement for the particular food item; and each index orsaw-tooth is made so as to have an angular length exactly equal to theangular distance required on the totalizing scale to measure 05 thenumber of units of calorie value in the designated unit of quantity,measurement or weight.

The particular indices employed may be shaded or colored, or otherwisecharacterized, to represent diiferent units of quantity measurement asfor example an ounce, a cupful, a tablespoonful, a natural unit, ahalf-size unit, etc., and hence the indices representing differentquantities may be superposed, the smaller upon the larger, as shown inFigs. 6 and 7.

Each index, whether a saw-tooth or other form, is arranged to provide azero line or base from which measurement is to begin and to progress inthe direction of progression of the values indicated on the totalizingscale. For example, in the case of the saw-teeth shown in Fig. 6, thezero point of each index is the lowest point and the measurement istaken from there to the crest or the highest point. The measurementmavalso be in the opposite directions if desired, as shown in Fig. "I.

In the specific construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, thebase member I is provided with an integral wing portion l2 arranged tobe folded over the face of the base I and engaged under the head I ofthe operating screw for the count measuring member 3. The wing i2 servesthe dual function of providing space for printed operating instructionsand also means to support a detent ll suitably secured between the wingl2 and the base I. The detent I3 is provided with a resilient arm l4which extends over the margin of the inaskfor indicator 4 and which isprovided with a boss or projecting button I! arranged to engage in smallholes or apertures I6 formed in the margin of the indicator 4 and spacedtherealong. .One perforation i8 is provided for each index on thetotalizing scale.

This form of device is operated by first setting the mask or indicatingmember 4 so that the portion ll of the window I, which is arranged toexpose the indices on the totalizing scale 2, is at the zero point onthe totalizing scale; and then manipulating the operating screw I toturn the count measuring member 3 until the segment designated for thedesired substance appears in the window I. The count measuring member isthen adjusted until the zero point of the sawtooth or index indicatingthe chosen quantity of the selected substance is alined with the stopshoulder I. The mask or indicating member 4 is then shifted clockwiseuntil the stop-shoulder has covered the selected saw-tooth or index.

The mask or indicator 4 is shifted against the frictional resistance ofthe detent arm l4 and is held in each position at which it is set byengagement of the detent button I! with one of the apertures It in themargin of the mask or indicator. Thus, when the mask or indicator isshifted to designate a certain count of value units, it will be held inits set position against any inadvertent disturbance from the adjustedposition.

Then the operating screw I is again manipulated until the next chosensubstance segment appears in the window 5. The index for the chosenquantity of this substance is then alined with the stop-shoulder 6 andthe mask 4 is again shifted clockwise, the angular distance indicated bythe index for the chosen quantity, to add to the iirst obtained total ofvalue units the amount of units contained in the second chosen quantityof a selected substance, the accumulation or sum of the values for thechosen quantities of the several selected substances appearing in thewindow portion ll.

This process is continued for each substance of the predeterminedcombination of substances and when all of the items have been measuredthe window portion 5.! will be positioned over the index on thetotalizing scale designating the accumulated or sum total of the unitvalues for the entire combination or schedule of selected substances,the mask or indicator 4 being always shifted progressively in the onedirection as each substance and quantity thereof is measured.

In the form of the device illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, the base I is anannular member having the totalizing scale 2 disposed on the margin ofone face. The count measuring member I is disposed concentrically on theface of the base I in the same manner as in the construction shown inFigs. 1 to 6, inclusive, and the mask or indicator 4 is superposedconcentrically over the count measuring member 3. These parts are thensecured together by means of the operating screw parts I and 8, as inthe case of the iirst described form of the device, so that the countmeasuring member may be readily and independently shii ted by simplemanipulation of the operating screw 1.

In this form of the device, however, the window for exposing the countmeasuring member and the totalizing scale is formed by cutting away aportion of the mask 4, rather than cutting an aperture into the same.The mask, however, is provided with a stop-shoulder 6 as in the case ofthe device shown in Fig. 1, and its operation is the same, except thatas shown the mask is moved in a counter-clockwise direction to sum up onthe totalizing scale the unit values of the chosen quantities of theselected substances comprising the combination or schedule of substancespredetermined by the operator.

As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the mask or indicator 4 of this form is alsoprovided with a pointer H which extends from the margin of the maskmember 4 and is bent radially inward under the base member I, so as tobe disposed on the rear: ward side thereof and coact with an annularmarginally disposed scale ll on the back side of the base-member I asshown in Fig. 8.

This last-mentioned scale It is an inverse of the totalizing scale shownon the upper face of the base member i and its function is to indicatethe practical application of the .totals derived from manipulation ofthe count measuring device to various types of individuals orcircumstances and in accordance with known predetermined standards. Forexample; in the operation of the devices shown, which are caloriecounters for food stuifs, the operator, after determining the totalnumber of calories contained in the chosen schedule and quantities ofthe combination 'desired, can at once determine from the scale [8whether the total calories contained in the combination or schedule isgreater or less than the predetermined standards for the particularindividuals consuming the selected combination of foodstuffs. Thus, bymerely observing the rear side of the base member I and the position ofthe pointer I! along the scale thereon, the operator may at oncedetermine whether substances should be added to or taken away from thechosen combination or whether selected quantities of the chosensubstances should be increased or reduced in order to keep the calorietotal within the ranges indicated as standards for the different typesof individual consumers.

The pointer I1 is integral with the mark or indicator member 4, andmoves therewith as the calorie count is totalized on the totalizingscale 2, thus obviating the possibility of error that might arise if theoperator were to observe the total on one scale and then mentallytransfer such total to another scale.

The main advantages in my herein described invention lie in thearrangement and construction of the devices whereby a large number ofdifferent substances may be indicated and provided for on one scale andyet be simply or quickly located for measuring the units of value invarious quantities of each substance; the devices automatically keepinga running total or sum of all the individual measurements as themeasurements are made. Also, the improved construction and arrangementpermits the use of various indices which not only designate and indicatepredetermined quantities of each substance, but which may also besuperposed one upon the other so as to permit different types of valuesfor any one food item to be shown in relatively one position on thecount measuring scale or member.

Other advantages reside in the construction whereby the count measuringmember may be easily and independently shifted without affectingadjustment of the mask or indicator which shows the total of the count.

Although but two specific embodiments of this invention are herein shownand described, it will be understood that details of the constructionsshown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of theinvention as defined by the following claims:

I claim:

1. A counter of the class described, comprising a member having atotalimng scale thereon, a count measuring member movable relative tothe first member and along said scale, and an indicator movable relativeto both said members and having indicating means thereon cooperativelyrelated to said totalizing scale and to said count measuring member.

2. A counter of the class described, comprising a member having atotalizing scale thereon, a count measuring member movable relative tothe first member and along said scale, and an indicator movable relativeto both said members and having indicating means thereon cooperativelyrelated to said totalizing scale and to said count measuring member,said count measuring member having a plurality of graphicallydistinguished selective units of measurementthereon each representing adifferent multiple of the base unit of said totalizing scale.

3. A counter of the class described, comprising an annular member havingan annularly-extending totalizing scale thereon, a count measuringmember concentric with said totalizing scale and relatively rotatable,and an indicator also concentric with said scale and rotatable relativeto both said scale and count measuring member, said indicator havingindicating means thereon for transferring readings from said countingmember to said totalizing scale.

4. A counter of the class described, comprising an annular member havingan annularlyextending totalizing scale thereon, a count measuring memberconcentric with said scale and relatively rotatable, and an overlyingmask also concentric with said scale and rotatable rela tive to bothsaid scale and count measuring member and having window apertures forreading said scale and measuring member and having indicating means fortransferring readings from said counting member to said totalizing scaleprogressively.

5. A counter of the class described, comprising an annular-member havingan annularly extending totalizing scale thereon, a count measuringmember concentric with said scale and relatively rotatable, and anindicator also concentric with said scale and rotatable relative to bothsaid scale and count measuring member and having indicating means fortransferring readings progressively from said count measuring member tosaid totalizing scale, and a yieldable detent means acting betweensaidscale and indicator for holding said indicator stationary duringmovements of said count measuring member.

6. A counter of the class described, comprising an annular member havinga marginally extending totalizing scale thereon, a count measuringmember superposed on the first member concentric with said scale andrelatively rotatable, and an indicator concentrically overlying saidcountmeasuring member and rotatable relative to both said scale memberand count measuring member, said indicator having indicating means fortransferring readings progressively from said counting member to saidtotalizing scale, a yieldable detentmeans acting between said scale andindicator for holding said indicator stationary during movements of saidcount measuring member, and an axial operating knob fixed on saidcount-measuring member and rotatable independently of the scale memberand indicator.

'7. A counter of the class described comprising a base member having alineally progressive totalizing scale thereon, a count measuring membermovable along said totalizing scale, and an indicator movable along bothsaid totalizing scale and count measuring member and having india basemember having an annular progressive.

totalizing scale thereon, acount measuring member concentric with saidscale and rotatable relative to said base member, an indicator memberalso concentric with said scale and rotatable relative to said basemember and said count measuring member, said indicator member overlyingand extending marginally beyond said countmeasurlng member and beingarranged to transfer readings from said count measuring member to saidtotalizing scale progressively, and a centrally disposed operating meansarranged to hold said members in rotatable superposed relation, saidoperating means being drivingly engaged with said count-measuring memberand freely rotatable relative to the other members.

9. A counter of the class described comprising a base member having anannular totalizing scale thereon, a count measuring member concentricwith said scale and rotatable relative to said base member, an indicatormember also concentric with said scale and rotatable relative to saidbase member and said count measuring member, said indicator member beingarranged to transfer readings from said count measuring member to saidtotalizing scale progressively, and a centrally disposed operating meansarranged to hold said members in rotatable superposed relatlon, saidoperating means comprising a shank extending through said members andhaving an operating head at one end, and said shank being in twoconnected parts arranged to clampingly grip and drivingly rotate saidcountmeasuring member and to rotate freely relative to the othermembers.

10. A counter or the class described comprising a base member having anannular marginally extending totalizing scale thereon, an annular countmeasuring member concentrically disposed relative to said totalizingscale and rotat- ,able relative to said base member, said countmeasuring member having thereon a series or annular concentric zonesarranged in radial series and each divided into angular segments, thesegments of each zone being each identified to represent a substance ina predetermined class of substances, and each zone representing apredetermined class of substances, and an indicator also concentric withsaid scale and said count measuring member and relatively rotatable,said indicator having a shoulder radially traversing said countmeasuring member to transfer readings therefrom to said totalizing scaleprogressively and carrying class identification markings spaced radiallyand disposed in line with the respective zones of said count measuringmember, whereby said zones are continuously identifled during relativerotation of said indicator and count measuring members.

RUPERT CHRISTIAN HERZOG.

